Capture d’écran 2024-12-19 à 09.55.30

Putting people first; empowering communities and driving innovation.

by 2024POLAND

Putting people first; empowering communities and driving innovation.

Reflections following the 6th European Harm Reduction Conference.

In the first week of December around five hundred participants from across Europe travelled to Warsaw for a three-day conference on drug use and drug policy organised by the Correlation European Harm Reduction Network (C-EHRN). Echoing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals ethos to ‘leave no one behind’, this year’s European Harm Reduction Conference’s motto, Putting People First, acts as a testament to the new found consensus on human rights, harm reduction and drug policy.

Various distinguished speakers, amongst which the Mayor of Amsterdam Femke Halsema, the Executive Secretary of the Pompidou Group Denis Huber, the UN Human Rights and Drug Policy Advisor Zaved Mahmood, and the UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk, spoke about the importance of moving drug policies away from criminalisation, and closer to human rights principles. Some of the speakers also explored the role of the responsible regulation of drugs in transforming the present criminally monpolised market into one which is regulated, monitored, and adjusted according to evidence and research.

Speaking in the opening session Daphne Chronopoulou, Chairperson of the European Network of People who use drugs stated: As a woman who uses drugs, as an activist and Chair of the network, I am the definition of harm reduction. And therefore, she continued, Nothing About Us, Without Us!

This bold statement underlined the centrality of providing people with living experiences an equal opportunity to participate in discussions, conferences and policy design directly impacting their well-being and lives. The conference included multiple parallel sessions, and the participation of various speakers and experts in the fields of drug policy reform, human rights, civil society representing the voice of people who use drugs and regulation of drugs. An inclusive and broad definition of harm reduction was recognised as important to better reflect emerging drug trends and evolving challenges. Speakers underlined the need to move away from strictly medicalised and heroin focused interventions, and ensure all people who use drugs have equal access to health, social, economic and cultural rights.

The role of responsible regulation was also discussed as an important tool to significantly address the criminal and violent nature of illegal drug markets and ensure citizens are not exposed to adulterants and risky synthetic drugs. Multiple sessions explored various areas linked with drug policy, including considerations for gender equality, and the importance develop bottom-up and peer-led solutions addressing the needs of different communities and groups.

An art exhibition Junk(ie) Art and a civil society exhibition space further complemented the conference’s efforts of merging theoretical speeches and presentations with practical solutions and tools.

During the session on cannabis regulation Karen Mamo reminded government representatives from Switzerland, Malta, and Germany that one cannot fail to mention and recognise the pivotal role played by civil society and grass-roots organisations in advancing the cannabis frameworks they are now speaking about. She also mentioned the urgent need for European countries regulating cannabis to include in the discussion and regulatory framework measures to ensure restorative justice and social equity are prioritised and communities most negatively impacted by prohibition are provided with added tools to participate in the regulated cannabis market.

Speaking also during the session on harm reduction in the media in the age of disinformation, Karen Mamo underlined the central role of language in preventing or facilitating negative perceptions about people who use drugs. She underlined a shared goal between journalists, health practitioners, educators, and the broader community to move away from stigmatised language and policies, and recognise that language does matter!

In conclusion, what could be three keywords to describe the conference’s outcome? Dignity, for all people, irrespectively if using an illegal substance and have no intention to stop. Empowerment, to challenge discriminatory laws and prioritise human centred policies over criminalisation and dehumanising policies. Hope, for the next five years to advance increased opportunities for comprehensive and inclusive harm reduction tools, and a continued discussion on the responsible regulation of drugs, the latter recognised as a catalyst for innovation and positive social change.

The 6th European Harm Reduction Conference was attended by the national focal point for CEHRN Ms Karen Mamo and young researcher and social worker Mr Mark Farrugia (Harm Reduction Malta).

cocazakje

Amigos de la Hoja de Coca: history of a pioneering coca leaf fair-trade

by 1995 – 20052024
This is a masterpiece for all ENCOD’s friends and supporters ; A real piece about ENCOD history and attempt to keep the experience alive and make it possible for the future… Thanks to the magazin Drugs, habits and Social policy and its editing team for keeping the importance of the subject and the publishing of it. Please download, read, spread and share this very very nice article. Click here to get all articles published.

Amigos de la Hoja de Coca: history of a pioneering coca leaf fair-trade

Farid Ghehiouèche, Kenzi Riboulet-Zemouli 

Drugs, Habits and Social Policy

ISSN: 2752-6739

Article publication date: 29 July 2024 

Issue publication date: 28 November 2024

Abstract

Purpose

The leaves of the Erythroxylum “coca” plant are a well-known food, beverage, and nutraceutical in their native Andean region. A decade ago, the European non-profit “Amigos de la Hoja de Coca” (Friends of the Coca Leaf) operated a short-lived fair-trade in raw coca leaves between Bolivia and the European Union. The chronicles of this initiative can be insightful, as interest in natural, wellness, and self-care products continues rising in Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

Historical review of the inception, and documentation of the organisation of the scheme and its outcome, via all primary sources available.

Findings

From the 1990s to the early 2010s, civil society groups organised several campaigns to normalise coca leaf in Europe, finding echo at the European Parliament, culminating in 2012-2013 when a periodical distribution system was set-up: growers in Bolivia shipped 150 g. coca leaf packets directly to Friends of the Coca Leaf members in Europe. Initially, most parcels reached their recipients without issue but after technical hurdles and reduced political support, the scheme was eventually discontinued.

Originality/value

European civil society campaigns surrounding coca have been poorly documented. Historically, Friends of the Coca Leaf emerged alongside Cannabis social clubs, but only the latter has prospered. While Friends of Coca Leaf was short-lived, its political outcomes (both at the institutional level and via a fair and do-it-yourself trade initiative) may prove inspirational to current drug policy reform discussions.

Keywords

Citation

Ghehiouèche, F. and Riboulet-Zemouli, K. (2024), “Amigos de la Hoja de Coca: history of a pioneering coca leaf fair-trade”, Drugs, Habits and Social Policy, Vol. 25 No. 2, pp. 155-172. https://doi.org/10.1108/DHS-10-2023-0040

ENCOD GA Berlin 2024

ENCOD and our duty toward a new policy on drugs.

by 2024ENCOD PRESS RELEASESNewsPress

ENCOD and our duty toward a new policy on drugs. 

Since 1993, ENCOD has been advocating for drug policy reforms based on a humane, just and effective approach. In four points below we’re describing below what ENCOD is struggling for, and we hope that you’ll follow and support us to make this.

First

We’re defending the right of the people to use drugs in a responsible manner, free from stigma and discrimination. We are defending a humane approach which allows people to alter their mind and enhance their consciousness with proper substances, within the Harm reduction paradigma. So that we’re advocating for the decriminalization of all drug uses. Also, we are strongly opposing the counter drug policies that are opposing Human Rights with law enforcement measures, especially those countries using the death penalty against drug offenders (or those supposed)!

Second

We’re advocating for the people to grow (not only their rights) their own plants, because we know that the best way to tackle the market logic of making money and profit over the trade of some products, and to design the cultivation up to the needs of the people. 

The right to grow, the freedom to farm up to the needs of peoples. We’re still wondering why the international narcotic control still keeps a large part of the world population in suffering because of the lack of access to pain killers. As well as we need Cannabis or Coca for medicine, we need to reconsider Poppy for medicine to end this global inheritage of the “war on drugs, which is a war on the (poor) peoples”.

Third

We have been defining a way to manage the market within the social and solidarity economic growth, by establishing the rules and code of conduct of the Cannabis Social Clubs, a design model that can also be adapted to other drug types. We therefore are promoting the self supply of consumers, out of scope of the capitalist way to make money. This model allows the real democratic monitoring of activities respecting the will and rights of the people to manage their needs.

Fourth

ENCOD is still advocating for a global approach to illicit market, not only the substances, but all related criminal activities like the money laundering, human trafficking, and other precious ressources as wood timber, gems…etc.    

EU level

At EU level, we as ENCOD are still promoting the implementation of the Catania report adopted by EU parliament on december 14th, 2004.

At  EU level, we as ENCOD are always concerned by the claim of the respect of Human Rights, and policy based on the respect of those principles, as it was adopted recently by the Council of Europe, in December 2022.   

At EU level, even if it is a step by step (either than federal), country by country reform, we are very supportive of the Malta ongoing process, as well as we’re trying to push Germany into the right direction, and we are very enthousiast with the ongoing process in Czech Republic which is driving a very new innovative framework by defining “psycho modulatory substances” to be regulated. 

Support ENCOD

We as ENCOD are still keeping up grassroots claim for drug policy reforms, adocating from local cities to United Nations. Please support ENCOD and all our efforts for just and effective drug policies.

ENCOD GA Berlin 2024

European drug activists of Encod meet in Berlin for General Assembly

by 2024Nederlands (nl)THE NETHERLANDS

Text by Dutch Foundation VOC

During the weekend of the well-attended Mary Jane cannabis fair in Berlin, Encod held a general assembly in the basement of the Hanf Museum (Hemp Museum) in the German capital. The VOC, the Dutch Union for the Abolition of cannabis prohibition, is a member of Encod, and its chairman Derrick Bergman and secretary Mauro Picavet attended the general assembly.

The European Coalition for Just and Effective Drug Policies has existed since 1994. And without Encod, the VOC would probably never have existed. Joep Oomen, Encod’s co-founder and driving force for many years, is one of the founders of the VOC. He brought a great deal of knowledge, contacts, and experience and played a key role in the VOC until his sudden death in 2016. Joep’s death was a major blow to both organizations; he is still missed.

Encod was hit by an even more difficult-to-grasp tragedy at the beginning of this year. After Joep Oomen died, the secretariat moved from his hometown of Antwerp, Belgium to Vienna. The Austrian Gaby and her German husband Erec ran the secretariat. Erec had been struggling with mental health problems and called the police on January 5, 2024, because he was not doing well. The police came to his house, attacked Erec with pepper spray, and shot him four times. “He wanted help and was murdered,”; Gaby wrote on Facebook a few days later.

Gaby Kozar Encod alv Berlijn 15-6-2024 Foto Derrick Bergman 8842
Photo: Derrick Bergman / Gonzo Media

For many Encod members, the general assembly in Berlin was the first time they had seen Gaby since the violent death of her husband. She showed herself to be strong and combative and she has no intention of stopping her work for Encod and improving drug policy. The General Assembly was a special one, with members from Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Malta, Spain, Italy, France, and the Netherlands attending. The decriminalization of cannabis in Germany clearly gives energy and inspiration to all European countries.

The fact that the German government has opted for the cannabis social club model, which Encod has been promoting for decades, is a boost. But the German version differs from the Encod version in crucial points. In particular, the ban on consuming cannabis in the club goes against the basic concept of the cannabis social club. Enjoying cannabis together in a safe and social environment is essential. The rules that German clubs must adhere to are unnecessarily strict and restrictive. In the rest of Europe, the climate for cannabis consumers is significantly worse than in Germany.

Farid Gheoueche Encod alv Berlijn 15-6-2024 Foto Derrick Bergman 8841
Photo: Derrick Bergman / Gonzo Media

A Czech Encod member was quite pessimistic about the legalization law that has been in the making in the Czech Republic for years. He expects a Luxembourg scenario: no commercial cultivation or shops, but only home cultivation and maybe non-commercial cannabis clubs.

Encod chairman and Parisian Farid Ghehiouèche was even more pessimistic about French drug policy. For the time being, it is all about repression in France. He told the attendees that a friend had received a one-year prison sentence a few days earlier for just eight cannabis plants. The man lives with his elderly mother and a disabled brother, whom he now has to leave to their fate.

VOC secretary Mauro Picavet gave an update on the Dutch cannabis experiment, the new Dutch government, and the VOC’s activities and campaigns, such as veiligthuiskweken.nl, De Gouden Gieter, and cannabisenverkeer.nl.

Mauro Picavet Encod ALV Hanfmuseum Belijn 14-6-2024 Foto Derrick Bergman
Photo: Derrick Bergman / Gonzo Media

Malta, the first EU country to legalize cannabis, now has seven cannabis social clubs, three of which supply their members. Consumption in the club is prohibited; perhaps the German government copied this nonsensical rule from Malta. Andrew Bonello of ReLeaf Malta said that a lot of people also grow at home. His organization advocates for increasing the amount of cannabis you can have on the street from seven to thirty grams as well as the amount you can have at home. Now that is a maximum of fifty grams, which means that every home grower runs the risk of being prosecuted. The same maximum applies in Germany, and therefore the same risk for home growers. ReLeaf Malta also wants to abolish the ban on sharing cannabis with friends.

Encod ALV Berlijn 14-6-2024 Olli Waack Farid Ghehiouèche en Andrew Bonello 8839 Foto Derrick Bergman
Photo: Derrick Bergman / Gonzo Media

It was good to see that Encod is still vibrant after thirty years. In the power struggle between government on the one hand and commerce on the other, an independent organization of consumers and activists with knowledge and experience is sorely needed. If you want to know more about Encod or become a member, check out this page.

[this article was first published in Dutch, as part of the “VOC Logboek” in HighLife Magazine 4, 2024]

Ganj_ape_Erec

The Bad, the Sad and the Ugly (Please keep updated)

by 2024

Update on April 20th, 2024

About Erec :

Two weeks ago, Erec’s widow posted on her Facebook page this message: “3 months after the killing of my beloved husband and soulmate, Erec Hesse, I am still in a state of, I do not even know how to call it. Out of my body, out of my mind, in constant pain, physically and mentally, suffering, losing hope and joy of life. By now we would have been in Costa Rica, seeing friends there and scouting for a possible new home.
Our dream was Cuba, but unfortunately the medical supplies there are not reliable any more, but Cuba was our paradise. 

Will be with you soon my love. I will choose our tree in a week, it will be a maple tree, which stands for freedom”.

Please note, share and enjoy the date to join the very (he)artful celebration organize on May 2nd:

ATELIERTHEATER Wien, Burggasse 71, 1070 Wien

Home

Thursday, May 2nd 2024, 18 h

Meeting in the foyer of the theatre, drinks from the bar

Erec’s collected works in the cinema-theatre: videos, short films, texts, photos and
World premiere of the film “Arukaze” by French filmmaker Gaël Sall, filmed in 2022.

Arukaze has been enjoying life in his little paradise for a very long time.
He is caretaker of a garden surrounding the gate to the realm of fairies. When Yansa Lu became the hero, Arukaze was happy to retire from his duties in people’s world. Indulging his dionysian personality, the Tiger forgot about the dangerous threats in Midgard, relying on Yansa Lu to fulfill the role of Sentinel and on Trinity to tell him should his services be required again.

Erec O. Kozàr 2.1.1969 – 5.1.2024

Never forgotten, always missed and loved.

Kino

https://www.klosterwald.at/

Startseite

About Dana : 

On a facebook, he posted on April 19th,  this very interesting message while sharing this “Certificate of recognition” signed by Eric Adams, New York City mayor and calling for financial support to support his lawyer costs:

“Well, you definitely help me cut my sentence (currently a year in prison and 9 years parole) down to a few more months, or even time served, by chipping in a little money… It was only pot. (But I’m going to take this opportunity to let Idaho know all about ibogaine.)

On April 4th, Paul Stanford who set up the Gofundme campaign to relase him published this message :

“Beal on bail. Dana is out on bail and homeless in NYC. He is currently couch surfing with various friends. Don Wirtshafter and Adam Eidinger signed to guarantee the $250,000 bail bond to set Dana free and that Dana would show up for court in Idaho, but the bail bond company, Eve and the Outlaw in Twin Falls, Idaho, is still owed cash; they were kind enough to put up the bond and give him time to come up with their discounted fee. And Dana is broke and needs food money, and airfare to get back to Idaho. Dana is scheduled to speak at the Boise Hempfest in Idaho on Saturday, May 11th, then he has court in tiny Gooding County, Idaho a few days later. He’s facing a 5 year mandatory minimum sentence in Idaho prison. Please donate to help Dana”

Longtime cannabis pioneer, Dana Beal, was busted in Gooding County, Idaho, near Twin Falls, on January 15, 2024. Dana is charged with cannabis trafficking and not having an Idaho cannabis tax stamp. He was held until March 9 and is out on $250,000 bail bond thanks to 2 people, an activist in Ohio and another in the District of Columbia, who signed to guarantee the bond. Dana has asked us to create this GoFundMe to help with his court expenses. He plans a vigorous court defense while working to legalize cannabis in Idaho, and to continue his groundbreaking work with ibogaine. Dana also pledges to not get busted again or travel with cannabis. We are working with a bail bond company in Twin Falls, Eve and the Outlaw Bail Bonds <https://www.eveandtheoutlawbailbonds.com>. Dana Beal has worked with the Yippies! and for cannabis legalization since the 1960s. Dana started the Global Cannabis March movement in New York City in the 1970s that has spread to over 400 cities around the world. Last year, the mayor of NYC, Eric Adams, awarded Dana and the Yippies the award in the attached photo! He has pioneered ibogaine treatment for drug addiction and post traumatic stress. In December, Dana took ibogaine to Ukraine’s troops on the front lines, to aid those under fire. <https://theintercept.com/…/ukraine-military…/>. Please make a donation to help Dana Beal, one of the most active pioneers still working for freedom for over 50 years. Thank you!

 

 

 

Update on January 20th, 2024

2024 is 420/2

How can we say “Happy New Year”, when so much violence against our peers is occurring, so many crimes are committed by Police forces that are supposed to protect society and people, when so hard political stances are rising against our tiny democratic organizations, and unbearable attempts to shut down our voices. When it comes to keeping people informed, it is very hard to find the good one, the first hand, and the best source of information.

Please find below pieces of information and updates about :

In summary

Two weeks ago, ENCOD General Secretary, our friend, fellow, and comrade, Erec O. Kozar passed away. We are still shocked and hardly hurt by the violent circumstances of the dramatic killing by Police gunshots. After some Bullshit Journalism spread the very ugly news (See below our reaction and link to a sample letter proposal), all ENCOD members, supporters, and Erec’s friends from all around the world are aiming to pay for a genuine ceremony to celebrate his memory. For sure, we’re all committed to ensuring “Justice for Erec”. Our sincere condolences go to his bereaved family, especially his wife Gaby. Stay tuned for an update…

Two days ago, sadly Dana Beal was arrested in Idaho. We never thought we’d have to say #FreeDanaBeal again in our lives, but it’s a good reminder that until Cannabis is completely legal in all US states and federally (and worldwide), there will still be activists fighting for legalization. Dana Beal is an American political activist, best known for his efforts to legalize marijuana and to promote the benefits of Ibogaine as an addiction treatment. He is a founder along with Abbie Hoffman of the Yippies, the Youth International Party, and a close ENCOD partner. May the #LastPrisonerProject help to release him and all other inmates, as well as to repair the harms of this discriminatory and counterproductive crusade. His daughter, Aivia Rose Monitto has launched a “Pot commun”: Stay tuned for an update…

In Spain, Barcelona’s new mayor is badly pledging to close all #CannabisSocialClubs. As ENCOD for the last 20 years, ICEERS supports the Clubs! Help us save Cannabis Social Clubs by signing the petition: https://www.iceers.org/support-csc-barcelona/; Stay tuned for an update…

One good news: Support Grassroots Cannabis & Hemp Advocacy at the UN Drug Policy Summit! 🇺🇳🌱 A new cycle begins in March 2024 at the UN headquarters in Vienna.  We need your support!; Stay tuned for an update…

Remember Ten years ago: https://youtu.be/NWkcp-2_bQ4?si=6YoGn44Yn5yc7CK1

Tribute to Erec – “Justice for Erec”.

Action against bullshit journalism – Please click here to access a sample letter that you can adapt or copy-paste and email to

As ENCOD Board, we’re writing to express our deep concern and disappointment regarding your coverage of the tragic incident involving ENCOD’s general secretary, M. Erec. O. K., who was killed by a police gunshot last Friday, January 5th.

We are shocked by your reporting marked by a clear bias merging things that have no clue, and neglecting the possibility that the incident may involve elements of foul play or an extrajudicial act.

It is crucial for media outlets to uphold the principles of journalistic integrity, objectivity, and fairness in their reporting. Unfortunately, your coverage appears to have deviated from these standards by providing a one-sided narrative while trying to shame and cover with mud our poor dead friend! 

The drugs are not responsible for police brutality. Would you have treated a similar situation where the victim was a user of legal drugs (alcohol) or other medicines?

ENCOD is a pan-European and abroad non-profit organisation, which is promoting and lobbying for a humane, just, and effective drug policy based on scientific evidence and protecting the rights of the users as well as those who are producers, like small cocaleros farmers in the Andean region. 

Our comrade Erec was part of so many actions that ENCOD organized, like “coffee roasted sniffing” at the gate of the UN buildings in Vienna in 2014,  the “Road to the coca leaf” project in 2015 and so many demonstrations calling for drugs policy reform or claiming respect of basic Human Rights for the people who use drugs… 

Please read the last article Erec posted on ENCOD website (https://encod.org/2023/20710/), you’ll clearly understand his own “testament – statement” for life and peace. Cannabis is a medication that can have very different effects on mental conditions, including positive therapeutic benefits in many cases: The media shouldn’t throw cannabis on the table without any knowledge of what its effects are and what it’s used for. Especially, the media should avoid building false allegations by stigmatizing people who use drugs.

We urge you to reevaluate your reporting on this matter and consider the impact it may have on the surviving half of the affected couple. Media outlets must fulfill their responsibility to inform the public accurately and impartially, especially in cases where sensitive issues such as potential police misconduct are at play.

We kindly request that you take immediate action to rectify the biased nature of your coverage and provide a platform for alternative perspectives, ensuring a more balanced and comprehensive understanding of the incident.

Failure to address this concern promptly may compel us to pursue further action, including but not limited to, filing a formal complaint with relevant regulatory bodies. We trust that you will treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves and take the necessary steps to uphold the standards of ethical journalism.

Dana’s arrest in Idaho

Steve Bloom from CelebStoner warns the Yppie Movement. Due to a vehicle malfunction that led to the police apprehension. Our comrade Dana Beal (who celebrated recently 77) is behind bars in Gooding County Jail in Southern Idaho, charged with felony marijuana trafficking. Bail was set at $250,000. This might be Beal’s toughest challenge yet. Possession of more than 25 pounds with intent to distribute in Idaho carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in jail and a $50,000 fine.

In a very slight testimony of the long struggle Dana has devoted to cannabis liberation, Aivia Rose, Dana’s daughter launched a crowdfunding appeal to the worldwide cannabis community:

I’m reaching out to you with a plea for urgent assistance for my father. He is a remarkable individual who has dedicated over five decades of his life to his activism and is currently facing a critical moment in his life that I will need the aid of the activist community for— and anyone who can help.
Unfortunately, his unwavering commitment to compassion and justice has led to recent legal troubles. He was arrested in Idaho for transporting medical marijuana to low-income patients. Given Dana’s age, poor health and serious heart condition, any jail facility, let alone extended prison stay, would threaten his life.

CelebStoner has requested a copy of the police report. Stay tuned for an update…

 

https://www.iceers.org/support-csc-barcelona/

Mini Clip ENCOD